Um Mr. Blahnik? I need some new shoes.

This summer, I have discovered a new hobby. I have, with the completion of my first half marathon, officially become a runner. I’m going to take this opportunity to congratulate myself.

However, there are some problems with my new passion. I like that runners smile and wave at each other when they pass on trails. I like flying down Bloomington’s rolling hills. I like the feeling of running with the wind at my back. I love running past the thirteen mile marker. I think it’s even better than the feeling of running past the finish line. (Although that was pretty fantastic too.)

I also love shoes. I am an equal opportunity shoe lover. I love flats and heels, stilettos, wedges, stacked pumps, kitten heels… I love round toes, pointy toes, square toes… I love practical black shoes, impractical Kelly green shoes and (of course) anything pink. My favorite pair of shoes is a particularly gorgeous pair of violet suede round toe pumps with metallic silver accents. I won’t leave home without them. These shoes are so special that they’ve inspired nervous breakdowns.

The problem is this: My two twin loves are at odds. After the completion of my half marathon, it was time for a new pair of running shoes. My mother took me to a very hard core running shoe store where a very hard core running shoe saleswoman fitted me for some very hard core running shoes.

I admitted the need for larger shoes and even accepted the necessity for “stability” shoes. I think we can all agree those were some MAJOR concessions, especially for a footwear connoisseur like me.

When the saleswoman and I had agreed on the classification and size, she brought me three pairs to try on. In my life, I have never seen three uglier shoes all grouped together. It was almost a crime. Three shoes, three brands, all were white with blue lines. In all three, the shade of blue was every eight year old boy’s favorite color. You know—the color I didn’t like when I was eight.

Out of pure desperation, I threatened the saleswoman with tears if she didn’t bring out some girl’s shoes. Seriously. I am not at a place in my life where I can just run in any shoes. I need shoes that look like a girl runs in them. I’m drawing my line in the sand and I’m not going to back down. (Maybe I should just go back to ballet. There was an activity with GREAT shoes: baby pink and satin with extra long ribbons!)

Eventually, I met with some success. I have “cranberry” accented running shoes. They aren’t perfect, but let’s face it: I’m never going to find suede or patent leather “stability” running shoes. They aren’t going to have fashionable wedge heels. But do they have to be hideous? Can’t somebody (ANYBODY) make running shoes that are also girly shoes? Is that too much to ask?

Running is not a manly activity like rugby or field hockey. Sure. Manly girls run. But so do girly girls. Who is going to make shoes for us?